Public Health Specialist

South Asia Multi County Office:

The South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO) oversees the development and implementation of projects in 7 countries in South Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. SAMCO offers expertise in infrastructure, procurement, human resource management, and fund management. All the project offices have local technical experts and strong partnerships with the governments in each country.

UNOPS has supported Sri Lanka’s development since 1998, expanding operations in 2005 to support the post-tsunami response and reconstruction process. Within the organization’s mandate in project management, infrastructure, and procurement, UNOPS Sri Lanka implements customized socio-economic development projects that benefit vulnerable people and develop national capacities. Achievements in Sri Lanka include the development of sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure, procurement services & capacity building, and project management in education, fisheries, roads, health, water supply systems; flood control and sanitation, and integrated solid waste management sectors. UNOPS works closely with Government counterparts and communities to ensure increased ownership, sustainability, and accountability of Projects. 

UNOPS Sri Lanka facilitated over $22 million worth of procurement of COVID-19 protection equipment and services in partnership with the World Bank, the Government of Japan, and the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund. Currently, UNOPS completed the procurement of US$5 million in essential pharmaceuticals  to strengthen the Sri Lanka health system during the medicine shortage crisis. Currently, UNOPS is implementing a digital health transformation project along with the Ministry of Health under funding from the Global Fund. 

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with government counterparts in the Health sector at the Federal and Provincial levels; 
• Lead and be the main resource for technical support in acquiring and developing new engagements in health in the Sri Lanka Country Office; 
• Provide technical input to the development of new project and programme proposals in the health sector in Sri Lanka; 
• Provide technical support for any health engagements as required in Sri Lanka Country Office during implementation of Health projects and programmes;
• Lead the development of knowledge and manage the knowledge base accumulated in the Sri Lanka Country Office in the health sector; 
• Represent UNOPS in relevant Health related meetings, workshops, panels, symposia and other relevant fora, including to donors such as Global Fund and CCM; 
• Work closely with the communication department to raise the profile of UNOPS in the Health sector in Sri Lanka, with donors, government departments, other UN agencies and other health partners, and the general public.

• A Master’s Degree in Health, Epidemiology and Social Science or other related fields relevant to the above duties is required. 

• A Bachelor degree with additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s Degree.

• Minimum 5 years of progressive and relevant experience in health services, health programme development(formulation) or programme implementation is  required. 

• Understanding public health departments, health systems and health systems management is essential. 

• Previous Experience working with international donors is desirable.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete)  in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.